Costa Rica: Sustainable Tropical Ecosystems

January 3-17, 2009

PLSC 489C / HONR 379K (3 credits)

This two week course provides students the opportunity to comprehend the relationship between Costa Rica’s agricultural development and the sustainability of its tropical ecosystems.

Visits to small and large agricultural production facilities will be interfaced with visits to Costa Rica’s natural ecosystems, including the Arenal volcano and Monteverde tropical rainforests. The latter includes an option to view the rainforest from literally a birds eye view via a suspended zip line. Site visits will often be physically demanding.

Students will be required to submit a detailed journal of their experiences and a PowerPoint presentation before faculty and students from the University of Costa Rica. A bus will transport the students throughout the itinerary, picking them up in the morning and bringing them back to their evening lodging.

Why Costa Rica?
Despite its small size, Costa Rica possesses 5 percent of the world’s total biodiversity, in part due to its position as a transition zone between South and North America, and a complex terracing of microclimates created by differences in altitude. With one of the most enlightened and dedicated approaches to conservation in the world, the country has made an impressive effort to preserve its natural resources. About 25 percent of the land is protected from further development. Costa Rica has become one of the prime eco-tourism destinations in the world, offering among other things, tropical rainforests, active volcanoes, rare and unique flora and fauna. The latter is vital to the economic sustainability of ecotourism.

Accomodations

Lodging includes a hotel in San José and lodges along the travel route. One evening may be spent at the home of a Costa Rican farming family.

Faculty and Staff

Steven M. Cohan is the coordinator of the Landscape Management Program with the Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Department at the University of Maryland. Dr. Cohan has an extensive plant genetics and horticulture background, both academically and professionally. His current research interest is in the monitoring and development of green roof installations. Please contact Dr. Cohan for information about course content and itinerary.

Dr. Amy Wong and Dr. Julio Marías from the University of Costa Rica are responsible for coordinating the itinerary and accommodations. Dr. Wong is a plant pathologist and Dr. Marías is an entomologist.

For questions about the application, registration and pre-departure logistics, please contact Shoshana Griffith, a Program Assistant in the Study Abroad Office.